Riding the Cycles

In this week's Spot, Sadhguru highlights the cycles one encounters in life, and how we can choose to overcome or ride these cycles. "Most people keep repeating the same cycles in different scenery. The first time some rubbish happened to you, you were in school. The next time it happened, you were in college. The next time it happened, you had a job. The next time, you were married. The scenery is different, but experientially, the same things are happening if you closely observe your life." Enjoy!

Photos from Inner Engineering in Mumbai. Additional photos are available here.

Most people keep repeating the same cycles in different scenery. The first time some rubbish happened to you, you were in school. The next time it happened, you were in college. The next time it happened, you had a job. The next time, you were married. The scenery is different, but experientially, the same things are happening if you closely observe your life.

If you exist here as just a body, you know where you are going; every second, you are getting closer to the grave. Life will be play, then it becomes pleasure, then it becomes so many things. Then, every joint hurts and one gets terrified because it is coming to an end. For physical life, this is progression; you don’t have to go through it to know it, you have enough intelligence to just sit and see it. But our fortune is we are not just physical, we have other dimensions to us. In terms of your mental status, it can either continue to grow or it can go in cycles. In terms of your emotional status, it can also continue to grow or it can go in cycles. You may not be aware of other dimensions yet, but even there, you can go in cycles or you can go somewhere. When there is a set process, you cannot change things so easily. But when there is a periodic destabilization of the system, there is a great possibility for change.

If you are very balanced, your cycles will happen once in twelve to twelve-and-a-half years. If you are not so balanced, they will happen in a quarter of the time – a little over three years. It could also happen more often, every sixteen to eighteen months, or every three months. The longest cycle is one hundred and forty-four years; this is a Maha Kumbh Mela. I will not go into the whole arithmetic of it because people will complicate things for themselves, but definitely, everything in this system is cyclical; the earth is going in cycles, the moon is going in cycles. If you do not stand up with a certain level of awareness and a certain level of determination, you will naturally become a part of the cycles. These cycles can mean bondage or these cycles can mean transcendence; that from one cycle of life to another, you transcend. Or, you repeat the same cycle.

The difference between astrology and spirituality is just this – astrology is telling you how these cycles bind you. The spiritual process is telling you how you can get away from these cycles. We are not denying the cycles; it would be stupid to deny them, they are definitely there. They are like waves in an ocean, either you can ride them or be thrashed and drowned by them. But we are looking at how you can slip away from them. If you live by being conscious of the cycles, your life will have a certain equanimity, a certain level of success, wellbeing and prosperity. But if you are constantly looking at how to become free from the cycle, you are looking for your liberation. The question is, are you looking for just wellbeing or are you looking for liberation? Accordingly, you must live.

So right now, if your life is going through cycles and repetitiveness, you are not going to reach anywhere; it is time to change the pattern. I want you to observe – is it happening every three months? Once in sixteen to eighteen months? Is it happening once in three-and-a-quarter years, or is it happening once in twelve years? Don’t start imagining all kinds of things, but it is happening whether you are able to notice it or not. It is not just happening with your mental and emotional situations, if you are aware of it, even physical situations around you will repeat themselves. It is so uncanny that even physical situations happen exactly the same way.

So what can you do about your cycles? If they are manifesting every three months, we can push it to eighteen months. If they are manifesting every eighteen months, we can push it to three years, or we can push it to twelve years. Or we can push it to one hundred and forty-four years. Or above all, instead of trying to dodge these cycles, we can ride these cycles.

I have been riding my cycles. I am now approaching my twelve-year cycle. Every time it comes, my life changes and it will change dramatically in the next four to six months. Every time I approach these times there will be a significant presence of a serpent. Shiva’s compassion lest I should forget - this time around, it is a king cobra. Exciting times ahead. Be with me with all your being, do not mess your Destiny. Of course, don’t miss the fun.

I have been riding my cycles. I am now approaching my twelve-year cycle.
Every time it comes, my life changes and it will change dramatically in
the next four to six months. Every time I approach these times there
will be a significant presence of a serpent. Shiva’s compassion lest I
should forget – this time around, it is a king cobra. Exciting times ahead. Be with me with all your being, do not mess your Destiny. Of course, don’t miss the fun.
WHAT A MAGNANIMITY TO SHARE SUCH TRUTHS WITH US!!!! ALWAYS GRATEFUL TO YOU SADHGURU JAGGI VASUDEV, BE WITH US TOO, WE'LL REACH THE HEIGHTS KNOW OUR EXISTENTIAL TRUTHS &amp; SPREAD THIS SPIRITUAL WAVE TO EVERY LIVING LIVES

I attended the Inner Engineering programme conducted by Isha Foundation at BKC, Mumbai; in Dec 2011. I found the experience most humblying and an opportunity to transform my way of perceiving the world around me. I felt calmer, relaxed and at peace with the surroundings. This short two and a half day rejuvenating programme has kindled and commenced a life long chance within me. SUDHIR BEHL

Pranam Sadguru, How do i know what is the cycle ?? I think its a 11 year cycle that i have... please guide and bless to see through the cycle and bring peace and contentment of self and family(loved ones)... regards.

My 2 1/2 days program at BKC Mumbai has been the beginning of my inner journey from physical to mental through emotions to energy . I felt I am with right guide toward my spirtual journey from self awareness to self realisation. So very grateful for the initiation and felt to be chosen one among masses.

Oh my god.. I surrendered in the first paragraph itself...I think i am in very short cycle.. i wants to ride on the wave..not to sink..and i wants to rise..and i too excited to be with u in couple of days.. dear jaggi..!

Sadhguru said it needs determination to come out of the cycles.i don't know my cycles but due to lack of proper determination i'm not being able to ride.please shower your blessings on me who is so stupid and lazy..

Sadhguru,
Stability, Clarity, Perception above all awareness ... all these are still just letters and words.. cannot express..anything in words. Your grace, your life just so that we can flower .. all the love for you sadhguru do not know what else...I am still a stupid

Just a little word Sadhguru to tell you how very grateful I am for your grace flowing in my life. I recently came back from the Shoonya program at the Tennessee ashram after having completed the Shambavi last October in LA. Shoonya program was absolutely Divine and so powerful! I am in awe. You were not with us physical, yet you were with us. Tears of love, joy and gratitude are shed for you master.

I have been awaking up easily every day since the program around 6 Am to do my sadhana, which was absolutely impossible before the program because of this lingering and draining adrenal fatigue I had since my cancer journey four years ago. It is gone for forever!!!

I bow to you, and I am with you 100% with all my being. I feel you deep in my heart, and the Divine throb in every particles of my being. What a precious gift you are to the world!

wave-riding new breathing... This is a thank you bridge from my breath-wave-riding experience of India and what you have inspired and manifested in Coimbatore ashram and your Inner Engineering program 16th to 18th December in Mumbai: It is a heartfelt greeting to the consecration of the Adiyoga Alayam and dedicated to all who with so much devotion work with the flowers of life in the greens and streets of India and anywhere else ... the coconut lady /as a participant later refered to me/ from Germany:

Dear Sadhguru... wave riding... I have heard the term before and I have always liked the image... What really opens me full in trust is what I can perceive how these body tools have inspired and manifested so much love and life around you... So I have just taken the IE course in Mumbai in such cycle circumstances, some twelve, some three years ones I guess. I am joyfully taking the ride creating blissfull and lifeweaving patterns with you and all the wonderful people who helped me find you and make your teachings available worldwide and supported unclattering my spaces so that I could make you out inside me... taking care of this wonderful space of your ashram to which Isha volunteer Sugukumar took me on a ride - motorbike - first time in decades... Going for it! Blessings from all my heart for the journey Sandra

The difference between astrology and spirituality is just this – astrology is telling you how these cycles bind you. The spiritual process is telling you how you can get away from these cycles.Wonderfully said

Amazing this Sadhguru's Spot. I feel like it was written to me. As I am just going through a cycle. I have been wondering why this is all repeating itself. I have been feeling like I am not doing my practices correctly because I am back where I was three years ago, when I came to Isha. Now, what should one do to push it to twelve years? Thank you Sadhguru!